NCO 2016

chica I think maybe people haven't commented because it is impossible to guess what the outcome might be for your son.
I have asked DD if the panel have spoken to her at her auditions - she says she thinks the first year they asked her if she played in any orchestras/ensembles and if she enjoyed them. Subsequent years she has had a bit of a chat with them about various things as she had met at least one panel member before each time during courses.
A child having passed a certain exam isn't always a great indication of their standard of playing and certainly not of whether an audition may be successful - I think they look for a bit of a spark/enthusiasm for playing as much as anything else (as long as technically they are up to the repertoire they will be expected to play). The first time DD auditioned she got into u11's and she had not even taken an exam at all on that instrument (although she did gr7 a couple of weeks later), the panel do not judge on what exams have been passed. Don't be discouraged if you have heard other children/parents talking about higher grades.
Having said all that the standard is pretty high - more so for some instruments than others - and violin is very competitive. It is great that your son was keen to audition and that he enjoyed the process. DD loves NCO and has learned so much, so I would always encourage anyone to have a go! I will keep my fingers crossed for him as well as my DD and do come back and let us know his result

As I am new to this board and new to the NCO audition process, I wondered if anyone had any thoughts on my questions/queries above. Is it normal that they didn't speak to him at all during his audition?
We weren't sure whether he should audition, as it seems that most of the players are of a very high standard (he auditioned for Under 11s) and even though he is about Grade 5 level, it looks like he would need to be higher.
thanks

Yep, am expecting to hear in another couple of weeks. Maybe even late next week, but maybe not due to numbers involved. They say "early to mid December". Not sure that I actually want to know though...

Read an Old e-news on Oct NCO newsletter that this year application is hugh at least 1125 young application! A very competitive audition! nearly to Dec time waiting for the result. Finger cross..

Hello
I have been reading some of the posts about the NCO, as my DS auditioned for the first time this week. We didn't know what to expect and I was not sure it was a good idea, as it seems that lots of the children are at a much higher grade at a younger age. He is about Grade 5. He has lessons at school and is the only one that has progressed to grades, but I know that the NCO is a completely different thing, so I am a little worried for him.
However, he really wanted to audition and said he enjoyed it. He auditioned for the Under 11 orchestra and I was expecting the panel to speak to him, but they didn't. Is that a bad sign?
He felt it went well but we have nothing to compare it to and if everyone is Grade 6 and above he will not have a chance.

All done here too. She really enjoyed herself and said no matter what they outcome she is going to audition again next year. Very happy girl still on a high.

My Dd finished hers this morning. She was nervous forgot to vib the very 1st note of her Meditation! Sightreading was Not Allowed to be played more than required, she was told! Also the panels this year were not friendly, mummy! (last year she went for Late Audition and VERY friendly) No chatting at all, quite serious for a 9 years old! Overall she is positive, finger crossed.
Good luck to everyone!

Thanks. Shes's a percussionist which will out me to anyone local and reading this.

Good luck to super's DD!

And I obviously meant if she DOESN'T get in, it will mean the others are a bit further along...

Ooops pressed send to early. Audition day for us tomorrow. She is playing really well but worried about feeling nervous.

Musicmom1 we are doing course at Wells next summer too

It went far better than I'd dared to hope. She has been in such a bad place these last few weeks, but as usual rose to the occasion and sounded stunning. The big acoustic of the room helped her, and a stage too! Sight reading is her strong point and she found it easy - just two little slips in the unprepared one. She is happy, and knows she couldn't have tried any harder. If she gets in, it will just be that the standard is that bit higher.

Great to hear about the wind and brass course, Musicmom1. I'll look in to it.

Thanks for the welcome :) Yes it was for flute. She said if she doesn't get in this year with flute, she'll try next year with double bass as well! She really enjoys auditions and exams, it's me that gets nervous.

Good Luck to everyone else.

It's today. And she changed one of her pieces 36 hours ago - to something she hadn't played since August 2014! I can't say too much on here, but it's due to complete lack of support, and a performance which spooked her a few weeks ago. New piece (or should I say old one, really) is very easy - she can play it well, but I'm not sure it's going to measure up.

baobei we always planned for this to be her last shot because flute is super competitive, the required level goes up exponentially from age 11, and she simply won't keep up - it's her second instrument. First is Recorder, so she can't audition on that.

I am so sure she won't get in again that I am already making plans to look into NYRO instead for next year, but we'll see.

My eldest auditioned on October 1st this year. She is 11 and auditioned with 2 Grade 7 pieces. We're hoping 3rd time lucky, as she has not been successful getting in yet.

DD had hers this afternoon - really enjoyed herself and came out relaxed and beaming (same as she went in...only me with nerves it would seem!).

I did point out to her that these are the 'good guys' in that they're willing you on to do your best so their orchestras are great rather than the ABRSM examiners who simply record how you do. She found it all very positive and bounced out saying that she'll definitely audition again next year whatever the outcome as auditioning is such good fun!!

So now the long wait for us. Good luck to all those still to audition.

My DD also auditioning this time around. She's looking forward to performing (for someone other then me) at her audition this week

Hello all, I am new to the forum. My Dd, baobei is auditioning on 23rd Oct, less than 48 hrs away! Not much can be done now. Keep calm. She is in Training Orchestra this year, will be 10 in Apr next year, so under 10's (same as TRL) She is auditioning ONLY on violin, her 1st instrument. She plays viola and piano as well.
Musicmom1: why your Dd need to do 2 auditions? And how does it go?
Wafflenose : why do you say might be last shot for Mini, because of the Braces? I am sorry that I know nothing about flute.

We are hoping for Regionals, but not really expecting anything.

NCO recently said 50% of the kids audition unaccompanied, and it's really not a problem. I am accompanying my DD for one piece (and need to practise more) and the other one doesn't have a piano part.

DD's audition is in 12 days.

Very pleased for your DD, Scared.

Hmm, it's not going brilliantly here. DD was the only soloist in a community concert this week (at the high school she will eventually go to) so has been practising a completely different piece. There was a false start due to the keyboard being incorrectly transposed, then during her (very nice) performance, she made a significant slip, and kind of revved in neutral for 3 seconds. In front of 400 people. She was gutted, and wouldn't believe everyone who told her it sounded fab. Since then, she's been super tired and hasn't practised, so today's run through was pretty poor. Hopefully she can get a few more early nights and lots of practice in yet, but we have her birthday to get through before the audition. I'd say she's somewhat distracted right now!